davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1887-09-15
THE 18Th N. Y.
Its Gallant Conduct at the Battle OF Fair Ca

TIA Gallant Conduct at the Battle or Fair Oaks.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: land some Of
my comrades have looked in vain for some of
your correspondents 10 give the 55th n. Y.
credit for its share in the battle Of Fair Oaks.
The following copies of original letters will
speak for themselves:
PROSPECT HILL, June L. 1862
To Col. THoURAHT, Commanding, 55th N. "
SIR IL affords me great pleasure To testify 20 the
gallant conduct of the regiment under your com
nlRnd AT the battle OF Fair Oaks. On the afternoon
Of the 3st Of May, ls62, at about o'clock y. n. =,
while my guns were In the battery in front OF Gen.
Cascy's headquarters, the infantry supporting on
the left and immediate right had given way ia con
sequence Of the enemy turning their left flank and
approaching on the front In ovcrpowering num-
beers The First Brigade stl gallanily dis
putting the ground out of supporting distance.
-Four Of my pieces had limbered up by direction
Of Maj. Van Nalkenburg to send TO the To pre-
vent them falling into the hands OF the enemy
while engaged them with two pieces in the road
which was directed 10 hold by Gen. Naglee who
had approved the disposition of the artillery our
Colonel and Major both having been killed IL
would have been impossible for me 10 save those
pieces. the enemy had already advanced be-
yond our left, and were within 80 yards Of my
right. II was at this critical moment that your
regiment came calamity upto rescue at double
quick led on by Gen NHglee-who seemed 10 be
in the right place at the right time-rcgardless OF
exposure and formed line of battle ia front os NV
battery. and in the face Of terrible fire. II was
one regiment Of 500 or 500 men against thousands
could not withhold my admiration OF your men
nj the time. and IL now affords pleasure 10 re-
peat IL here.
Hoping you will escape unframed through many
fights and considering myself under obligation 10
yourself officers aud men, i am, Colonel very
respectfully,
The National tribune., 1887-09-15
HEADQUARTERS, SIN n. Y. BATTERY.
FAIR OAKS, June Is. lSGa

Col. THoURAST, commanding 55th " "
MY DEAR SIR: Although unasled and unsolic-
tied, cannot, IN view OF the great service you
rendered 60 Gen. Casey's Division as a whole and
more particular 10 the 9TH ~ y. battery by resist
ing the charge made upon IL by the enemy AT the
battle OF Fair Oaks, refrain from expressing TO YOU
the gratitude feel for the noble manner in Which
your gallant command behaved at that time NV
battery being la position TO the left Of the 7t hat
terry, j had an opportunity OF seeing you brave
danger ia the face Of vastly superior force and by
SO doing yoa saved the 9Th from capture by the
enemy. ] have known your regiment in more
peaceful times as militia regiment Of the State of
New York. aud have many times admired The an
pearaDce and drill, and ! am happy 10 state tina,
lie behavior the field Of battle will ever make l.
The National tribune., 1887-09-15

John Davidson, Pittsburg, Pa, strongly COM
mends the article of Gen. A. Sanders Piatt.
The writer urges the expedieney of sgitating
the equalization on gold basis OF the wages
paid to the soldiers. He believes the payment
of the soldiers in greatly deprecated currency
was clear breach of contract and grieyous
injustice, which should be corrected.
w. A. Crowder, Co. b, 59th ILL.,, Bethany, H.,
complains of injustice on the part of the Pen
sion Department, and thinks more lberality
should be shown in dealing with disabled vet
Grams.
Hugh L. Thompson, Cos. c and H, Sd Wis.
Cav, Carl Junction, Mo, thinks a great change
has been wrought by the whirligig of time
since the war; as shown by tho manner in which
the Government treats the old soldiers in many
respects. He hopes the comrades will stand
together and insist upon the fullest measure of
justice.
Jos. Kefer, Danville, Pa, was much pleased
with the bugle blast from Gen. A. Sanders
Piatt in recent issue. The writer fully agrees
with the sentiments therein expressed
J. C.. Leslie, Co. III, U. S. s., Springfield, o.,
heartily indOrses the article of Gen. A. Sanders
Piatt, and urges that steps be taken 10 induce
the Government to make good its Just obliga
tiOns to the soldiers.
j. w. Ledbetter, Co. F. 18th KY, Dallas. k.
thinks the pension regulations and laws nov "a
force do great injustice to some classes of worthy
soldiers, and he hopes the inequalities will be
restifed.
S. 5. Taylor, First Sergeant, Co. d, 154th
j. Y. l., Wood River, Neb., was greatly pleased
with the recent article from the pen of Private
Dalzell. He hopes to see more Of the same
sort.
p. G. Roesh. Goth Ohio, National Military
Home, Ohio, complains of the injustice done to
the men who enlisted in 1868, in the matter of
bounty. He says the Government did not paw
them the full amount it promised He hopes
that an effort will be made to secure Justice.
John ;. Herst0n, Williamson, Mich. thinks
that now, while the Treasury is full to reple-
ton, the soldiers and their friends should urge
persistently the repeal of the limitation of
arrears act. He thinks this but simple justice
to class Of pensioners who are Just as deserv-
ing as those who were more fortunate in max
ing earlier application
The National tribune., 1887-09-15
i. G. REGAS, Captain,
Commanding 9TH n. Y. Vol. Battery.
HEADQUARTERS. NAGLRE's BRIGADE.
CAMP NEAR BOTTOM BRIDGE.
To Col TuouRAST:

To Col. THouRAET:
In reply 10 your favor Of the 18th am instructed
10y Gen. Naglce TO inclose the following extract
from his report In relation 10 the conduct of the
5aih n. y. under your command. Gen Naglee
says:
" ] rode 10 the rear and led up the 55th n Y
Iieut-Col. ThourRnt, and placed il la line of bat
Tie peTpendicular 10 the Williamsburg TO ad about
so yards ia advance of Regau's battery, the Jeff
resting so yards 10 the right Of the road Re
fore getting into position they Were compelled
60 march over the bodies oftheiT killed aud wounded
comrades, aud soon found themselves fully en-
gagged"
Again Gen Naglee says: Returning IN about
an hOur-at 5 D. MI found the 55th engaged 20
their utmost, aud sscertaincd for the fra time
that the enemy had discovered what had feared
that there were none of our troops between the
White Oak Swamp aud our line parallel with and
but 300 400 yards from the Williamsburg road
They had more than an hour before discovered
this aud with shnrpshooters concealed Ia the road
had killed many Of our most valuable officers had
picked of the cannoniers, and had killed three or
four horses out OF every team attached To the art
lery, aud at my return our men had been driven
from the rife-pits No time was TO be lost The
battery under Lieut.. Hart ordered 10 retire
but IL found that but one lin Der could be
brought away. ! ordered IL To be spiked but after
spilng the pieces la the redoubt those on the out
side were Ia the hands Of the enemy. by way of
precauiion had ordered the prolongs 10 be fixed
10 the section Of Kegans battery still firing along
the Williamsburg road. and that the other Two see.
lions should retire. then drew back this section
firing as II retreated 10 the abatis aud ordered the
o5th Ia the rear under protection OF lis fire.
The 55ih fought most calamity. suffered severely
and contributed much in the end toward saving
Regan's battery from falling into lhe hands of IN
enemy. The General further desires me to thank
you for the prompt manner in which you respond
dcrcd. Very respectfully,
GEO. ii. JoURDAN A A -GeneraI
The National tribune., 1887-09-15
Lost and Found.

Adolph Bessie, Wappeton, Oak, says that
among the effects Of deceased comrade, John
Schmitt, of Sumner Post, No. 81, Department
of Dakota, is n large navy-sized Colts revolver
upon the barrel of which is engraved, Adam
King, Co. Z, Ind. NJ. Owe. Enl. Sept /, 1861"
1t was claimed by Comrade Schmitt that he
picked it up ut the battle of Gettysburg The
pistol and holster are now in the possession of
the writer, and he will gladly restore them 10
COmrade King if living, or to his friends, upon
proper Identification.
r. A. More, Adj't, Eugene Reynolds Post,
Bellefontaine, o., has the discharge of William
Palmer from Co. G., 2Ist Ohio
i. J. Cormick, West Haven, Conn. would be
glad to hear from Capt. Clapp and Will Junn
Co. G, IiSth n. Y. The writer has a pocket
Bible with the initials AZ E. c." which he
picked up in Virginia. Also diary, which he
found in Petersburg, Va.
John &. RaspOch, Madison, Wis has the dis
charge Of Thos. Il. Hawkins, Co. A, 18th Conn.
1t was left in the Fess Hotel, in that place, by
the comrade when he was guest of the house
three or four years ago.
o. Holmes, Van Vert, o., has the discharge
of Leonard n. Sneider, Co. d. Goth Ill. When
last heard from Sneider was at Georgetown,
Colo.
Mrs. Emma T. Cole, 40 Forest St., Fond du
Lac, Wis, asks information in regard 10 a
sword with q silver blade aud seabbard, which
belonged to her brother, Henry Clay TAYLOR,
Co. A, 2lst Wis, the name and regiment being
engraved upon it. He was captured at Chieka-
manga, and after being confined in various
Southern prisons died at Libby.
The National tribune., 1887-09-15
y DIAMOND WORDS. \
n,rhnrn 40 - 49, 30, : -.

There are a few things that believe In
with all my heart and it affords me pleasure 10 tell OF
one of them" Tie speaker Ex senator Albert Mer-
rift, head Of the large fruit firm 81 PARK Place. N Y
and the his Office " was SICK and feared that
had become fed 20 endure the fortunes dyspepsia and
dangerous affection of the Kidneys a relative said 10
me: Why don't yOu try Dr. Kenuedv's FavOrfte
Remedy Ibid 50. 4 grew steadily better cOuId eat
digest Sleep work with clearer head and the yelio
color Of my skin had given place to the tones
That Announce Pure Blood,
and every organ Of the body i'm healthy action Dr. Ken
nedys FavOrite Remedy IS entitled the credit Of saving
my life. If any one has doubt about the truth OF nv
statements let him write 90 give YOU the names
and addresses Of hity persons who affirm "a do that
FavOTte Remedy, made by DR. David Kennedy OF ROnd-
out, y. y, has been to them
A HELP AND A BLESSING
I'm time of need" Mr.. A. DeRevere Tarrytown. NJ Y.
says: For long time was troubled with severe at
lacks Of Dizziness ard Blind Sick Headache Thought
II was due to impure blood and dsOrdered state OF The
system. was advised 10 Try Dr. Kennedy's FavOrta
Remedy, did 80, and completely cured. It's tha
best thing ever heard Of for disorder that nature
and I've recommended il 70 many with like suecess1
DR.. D. KGnlGdT'S FaV0ritG Remedy
Rondout, n. Y. All Druggists. N;6or@.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27

mated that 1t wouli cost tn: GJvernmen
six million year. his measure was passed
by the House only, and 1: Is a little doubtful
how IL Will fare in the Senate.
There is much accommodating around the
Capitol ON tariff and revenue questions. The
Randall men, and particularly Mr.. McAdoo,
AFR. RandaIls New Jersey protege. a re appar-
entity hard at work evolving some scheme by
which to get the better, If that Is possible, OF
their brethren whG think protection is sin.
The work, however, is not all on one side.
l,ol Morrison Is inarshalling bis forces for
the fray. On the floor of the House along
the corridors S, and in the committee rooms.
MAJ be seen knots of members, usually
Democrats, and the words tobacco, ''fruit,'
"brandy," lumber '''sugar," wool, salt"
can be heard from every side. How much
will come Of this. no one can predict; hut 1t
is quite evident that the Democratic protec-
! tionists contemplate an attack on the blund-
q. -ers of low tariff prociivities.
LIS probable now that the Weather Bureau
will become a branch of the Civil Service.
The d. ath of Gen. Hazen, the chief officer of
the sigh al service, and the consequent neees-
sity for cs rtaIn changes in the organization
of the signal service has revived the quest ion
of transfer ring the whole matter FROM the
War Departm ent to that of the Interior.
There is nothing military about the weather
bureau, aud therefore 1t does not belong to
the army, although the argument has been
advanced heretofore that military discipline
lis necessary TO secure accurate and prompt
observations. Some claim that the work
could be equally well, If not hetter done, by
civilians and that IL Is time TO do awa7 with
on expensive signal corps which has nothing
to do but TO parciice signalling. The pre- sent
opportunity is probably the best for settling
the subject forever. since there Is no chief
with personal feelings or official interests to
be hurt by the change If made.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27
CONGRESS.
WEDNESDAY,.


A bill was introduced in the senate TO
create civil service retired list. The house
discussed the Interstate commerce bill. Both
struction of new bridge across the Missis-
sippi river at st. Louis.
THURSDAY.
SENArE-The conference report on the
ELECTORAL count bill was agreed to.
HoUsE-The senate bill for the admission
of Washington Territory as state was re-
ported f,vorably with an amendment pro-
yidiag also for the admission OF Montana.
The senate bill amending the law regarding
trade marks passed. The interstate COM
merce bill was further discussed.
FRIDAY.
Nothing notable was done i'm the senate.
The house agrt ed TO the conference report
on the interstate commerce bili-2f9 to A..
The conference report ON the Indian land
In severalty bill was agreed to.
MONDAY.
sENArE-The credentials of Senator-elect
Davis of Minnesota were presented and filed.
A bill was>Introdueed providing for cruiser.
The senate bill authorizing the president 10
declare a commercial embargo in certain
cases (the fishery billy passed by vote OF IS
to L.
HoUsE-Bills were introduced for the incor-
poration of the Atlantic and Pacific Ship Rail
way company and for the construction of
severai new vessels of war. The bill taking
from tine executive officers of the United
States power in allowing Indemnity loca-
lions or scrip for ansatisfied private claims
aud vesting f. In United ST ates courts passe d
TUESDAY.
sENArE-A bill was introduced to amend
the oleonnargarine law. The eonferencere-
!, ort On the bill allotting lands in severaity TO
Indians was adopted. The resolution pro
posing woman suffrage amendment 10 the
constitution was rejected-I6 To 81.
HousE-The house settled the Rhode Island
contested election case of Page VS.. Pierce by
adopting resolution declaring the seat va
cant.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27
A WAR CLOUD,

Senators ingalls, and Frye, in the
senate on Monday. made speeches
reeking with British blood. The
bill to permit the president to close
the ports of the United States against
Canadian fishery products was under
consideration. The bill is a 1etalia.
tory measure, growing out of the
fishery controversy in Canadian
waters, several American fishing
vessels and crews having been out
rageonsfy treated by the Canadians
It il believed that by striking al the
pockets Of the English in refusi,
them the market Of the UnitedS. ,,a
for their goods, they will be b. ouch,
10 fuller recognition of IT, . traa,,
rights Of our fishermen. There l.
heated feeling between the fsbar,
interests Of the two nations. and j,
. IL not improbable tf.at it will lead e
open hostilities Which will inyoly,
serious consequences, but the people
of neither country will countenancs
war SO long as any opportunity for
maintaining honorable peace offers
Human life is too precious to be
sacriaced on the altar Of salt cod and
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27
HIGH LICENSE.

It is doubtless true, rs affirmed,
that Minnesota is not yet prepared
to pass a stringent prohibition law;
but there is no doubt but the time
has arrived for fixing the license fee
so high as 10 clean out the most OBJ
jeetionable places where intoxicants
are dispensed. The saloon is a
power which 40 good citizen desires
to see dominant in the social or
political field, and yet while it has so
much at stake in perpetual
ing itself and increasing it's
profits through legislation. 1T is
bound to be active in politics. 1t is
business requiring so little capital
in proportion to the volume of its
trade and the amount of its profits
that it attracts class without moral
or financial responsibility-and the
abuses Of the privileges under the
present law are so many, 50 common
and SO fatal and degrading, that the
law must devise some means of more
effectual control. The most feasible
plan so far suggested is high license.
The word license in this connection
is a misnomer which misleads, for it
is not license at all, but special tax
upon a business which the very fact
Of taxing and controlling brands as
peculiarly obnoxious, IL not NOM
inally illegitlmate. .----
A bill has been introduced into the
legislature to fix the minimum
license at $500, and in cities of over
10000 at $1,000, with the privilege
Of local boards having jurisdiction
to fix it at any amount greater than
this they please, and any township,
incorporated village or city may
prohibit the sale of liquors al.
together by special vote. This
should become law. AS will be seen
elsewhere in this paper, the board of
com nissioners of Stearns county has
granted over sixty licenses in Stearns
county, outside the city of St. Cloud
and the incorporated villages. The
fee is $50, and the total amount paid
into the treasury therefor is about
$1,000. Now, il the proposed law
were in force not one in ten of these
saloons would he doing business at
all, and the amount of revenue would
be the same.
Anyone who will ponder this ques-
ton carefully, be he prehibitionist,
local optionist, or an advocate of the
"wide.open" policy, must admit that
six saloons in the rural districts of
the county are far preferable to the
sixty, however much he may feel that
none at all Is far better than six.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27
BETTER LEGISLATION.

To do the legislative work of the
rapidly growing and developing state
Of Minnesota more time is required
than is allotted by the limited bien.
NAL sessions. More laws in number
are not needed, but fewer and better
constructed ones. One good law, care.
fully drawn and digssted, is worth
score Of measures rushed through
under the devices praetised Of necessi-
ty to crowd bills through within con.
tract time. The present system gives
rise to crude. defective and ancon.
sidered legislation. as one lDiil
crowds upon the heels of another,
both in committee and in open ses-
sion, made, like poor Joe. to "moye
n" so rs not to Distract the routine
Of business. Let any one examine
our statutes critically and if at all Of
an analytical turn Of mind, he cannot
help but be struck with the ambigu.
ity Of expression. or blindness of
phraseolegy. While there defects
are not at the time felt to be serious,
yet they give rise later to a vast
amount of litigation which weuld be
avoided if more careful consideration
had been given the laws before they
received the gubernatorial sign
manual. Phe necessity of recalling
the criminal code from the governors
desk after its passage,for the purpose
Of rectifying an error which would
have swslled the criminal class until
it embraced halt the State, Is a promi.
nent example. The criminal code at
present is not free from antiquities
which are easily recognized, and
the law Incorporating villages is es-
pecially blind in some of its provi-
sions.
Too much care cannot be exercised
in framing a law to guard it against
any possible double or conflicting
Interpretation. and it should be plain
enough to be understood in all Its
bearings and breadth by the average
layman. ....
The only way this can be accomp-
lissed is by granting more time for
consideration. Either leRgthen the
biennial sessions to double their pres.
emit duration, or have annual sessions
Of the present length-or what is
better still provide annual sessions of
SIXTY working days. The State can
better afford to pay legislative than
iudicial exnenssS.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-27
CORRESPONDENTS.
wAsHINGroN, d. C. Jan. ., 1857.

WASHINGTON, D. c. Jan. p, 1857.
EDITOR HERALD.
Washington gains in popularity as rem
devious for the representatives of national
interests and industries. Last week three ma
tiunal conventions assembled here; the farm
ers, the glass manufactures, and the brick
layers. This week six national bodies con-
vene here; the shipping league, the Board OF
Trade, the Potters' Association. the Encamp-
ment of Union Veterans the society to pre-
vent food adulteration, and the Order of the
Mystic Shrine. Every winter no less than
fifty congresses of one sort or another. come
to Washington, andfn a few years morethere
will be double that number. Next week,
among the brotherhoods and sisterhoods that
are coming, will be the women who want to
vote. A Female Suffrage Convention at the
Capitol is now an annual certainty. The
prominent advocates of this cause have met
hero every winter as has Congress-. for the
past fifteen years
Although legislation is now greatly behind
She record of former short sessions. business
is being pushed this week In both branches
of congress Prominent among measures
thathave been discussed and acted upon
were, pension bills, especially the one for the
relief of depsndent parents and honoraoiy
discharged soldiers and sailors. disabled and
AependenL upon .theix own labor fer support.
Tweiye dollars month is the amount al
lowed 20 each, and. The WoVer0 tps Din est.